For the past nine years, playing the flute has been a passion of mine. Since then, it’s been a source of happiness, emotional release, and inspiration. It’s an ability I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop, and my love for playing has only grown as my skill level has increased.
I first became interested in the flute when I was in the 3rd grade. Some students from the high school band had come down to my elementary school to show us the various instruments we could learn upon our entry into the 4th grade. Many instruments interested me upon hearing them: The violin, the clarinet, the saxophone, but none of them caught my attention quite like the flute did. Perhaps it was how expressive the instrument is- it could switch from a sombre, dark sound to a lively, cheerful one in the blink of an eye. It may have been its impressive high notes. Maybe it was just how it somehow reminded me of the recorder I loved to play. Whatever way it happened, the instrument captivate me. I knew at that moment that I had to learn how to play it.
The development of my flute playing ability has been a lengthy process, a process which is to this day continuing. It started the summer vacation after I heard its call; after I had put a bold number one next to its name on the sign up sheet, and my request was approved. My mother rented me a flute and signed me up for private lessons at my local music shop. I remember being so excited to play that flute, trying- and failing- to assemble it without instruction. My teachers both in school and out appreciated my enthusiasm, and I appreciated their help. I practiced constantly, especially once, upon attending SUNY Fredonia’s Summer Music Festival (a week-long band camp), I realized just how competitive my instrument is.
School in general didn’t play a very large role in my individual development as a flute player, though it did teach me how to play in an ensemble setting. I credit most of my skill to my wonderful private instructors who helped me discover so much about the flute, and what it means to be a musician. However, it was my high school conductor, Mr. Rakowski, who inspired me to pursue Music Education as a career, though it was only once he passed away so suddenly that I realized just how much he had effected me. While he didn’t teach me much about the flute itself, he passed to me a wealth of knowledge about musicianship and teamwork.
Playing the flute is, above all, the ability of mine which I am most proud of. It’s an ability which I will continue to develop for the rest of my life, and that I one day hope to pass on to children who, like I nine years ago, have become captivated by its call.
I first became interested in the flute when I was in the 3rd grade. Some students from the high school band had come down to my elementary school to show us the various instruments we could learn upon our entry into the 4th grade. Many instruments interested me upon hearing them: The violin, the clarinet, the saxophone, but none of them caught my attention quite like the flute did. Perhaps it was how expressive the instrument is- it could switch from a sombre, dark sound to a lively, cheerful one in the blink of an eye. It may have been its impressive high notes. Maybe it was just how it somehow reminded me of the recorder I loved to play. Whatever way it happened, the instrument captivate me. I knew at that moment that I had to learn how to play it.
The development of my flute playing ability has been a lengthy process, a process which is to this day continuing. It started the summer vacation after I heard its call; after I had put a bold number one next to its name on the sign up sheet, and my request was approved. My mother rented me a flute and signed me up for private lessons at my local music shop. I remember being so excited to play that flute, trying- and failing- to assemble it without instruction. My teachers both in school and out appreciated my enthusiasm, and I appreciated their help. I practiced constantly, especially once, upon attending SUNY Fredonia’s Summer Music Festival (a week-long band camp), I realized just how competitive my instrument is.
School in general didn’t play a very large role in my individual development as a flute player, though it did teach me how to play in an ensemble setting. I credit most of my skill to my wonderful private instructors who helped me discover so much about the flute, and what it means to be a musician. However, it was my high school conductor, Mr. Rakowski, who inspired me to pursue Music Education as a career, though it was only once he passed away so suddenly that I realized just how much he had effected me. While he didn’t teach me much about the flute itself, he passed to me a wealth of knowledge about musicianship and teamwork.
Playing the flute is, above all, the ability of mine which I am most proud of. It’s an ability which I will continue to develop for the rest of my life, and that I one day hope to pass on to children who, like I nine years ago, have become captivated by its call.